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Packers Strike on Final Day of Free Agency — Green Bay Signs Pro Bowl QB as Malik Willis Replacement

 

 Posted March 11, 2026

Green Bay, WI. Day two of NFL free agency brought a decisive move from the Green Bay Packers, as the franchise moved quickly to address the biggest hole in its offense following the departure of quarterback Malik Willis.

Willis recently left Green Bay to join the Las Vegas Raiders, leaving the Packers searching for a new reliable backup in the quarterback room. Rather than waiting for the market to settle, Green Bay acted early to secure an experienced replacement.

According to league sources, the Packers have reached an agreement with former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew on a two-year contract worth $15 million, averaging $7.5 million per season.

Minshew arrives in Green Bay with a reputation as one of the league’s most charismatic and resilient signal-callers. In 2023, he produced a standout campaign with 3,305 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, earning a Pro Bowl selection while stepping in as a starter.

His ability to manage games, extend plays with mobility, and deliver accurate throws has made him a valuable offensive weapon throughout his career.

During the 2025 season, Minshew recorded 1,820 passing yards (completing 62% of his passes) and 10 touchdowns in limited action, while also contributing as a veteran mentor in the locker room.

Green Bay believes that versatility will be crucial as the offense adjusts after Willis’ departure. Minshew’s quick release, ability to improvise, and experience in high-pressure situations give the Packers a flexible weapon capable of staying on the field in multiple situations.

With quarterback Jordan Love recovering from a knee injury, Minshew is expected to take on a significant role early in the season while helping stabilize the position group.

As free agency continues to reshape rosters across the NFL, Green Bay’s quick move signals the Packers’ determination to remain competitive while building a new chapter for their offense heading into the 2026 season.

 

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IT’S HAPPENING! Packers make the BRUTAL decision to trade Reed for the Cardinals’ 12-sack pass-rushing phenom.
  The Green Bay Packers have been selective with their free agency additions this offseason, bringing in cornerback Benjamin St. Juste along with former division rival with the Minnesota Vikings Javon Hargrave, and return specialist Skyy Moore. However after the departures of Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare through trade and free agency respectively, the edge rushing corps is certainly looking a bit thinner than the team would otherwise want behind All-Pro Micah Parsons. So it is not shocking that rumors have already surfaced claiming that the Packers are “interested” in Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Josh Sweat. However, given that Green Bay is not exactly blessed with draft capital in 2026, having given up their first rounders in 2026 and 2027 in the trade that had them acquire Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys, it stands that general manager Brian Gutekunst may well be wary of moving any and all draft picks from this coming draft. Especially for a franchise that is notorious for its draft-and-develop approach.   So, a proposal coming from Cheesehead TV and The Packers Wire’s Mark Oldacres suggests that Green Bay could consider moving receiver Jayden Reed in return for Sweat, citing the Cardinals’ need in the slot and the Packers’ desire to bolster the pass rush. Embed X: https://twitter.com/MarkOldacres/status/2032136676219224308 “Cardinals don’t have a natural slot receiver after Greg Dortch hit free agency. Josh Sweat for Jayden Reed, who says no?” Oldacres wrote on X on Thursday. Why Would the Packers Trade Jayden Reed? It has been posited by some of the Packers media that the team could quietly look to move off of Reed this offseason. The former second round pick has been productive when on the field, but with imminent extensions likely for wideout Christian Watson and tight end Tucker Kraft, it could be difficult to justify also handing one to Reed, especially given the presence of 2025 first round pick Matthew Golden, who is expected to have more substantial role in 2026.   The Packers also have players like Evan Williams, Javon Bullard and Edgerrin Cooper to consider – all of whom are playing at a Pro Bowl level, even if none have made one – who will be up for a contract renewal at the end of this season. So signing Reed to a long term deal could be both complicated and financially unfeasible for Green Bay. Josh Sweat Would Boost the Packers’ Edge Rushing Corps Sweat, on the other hand has three years remaining on his existing contract with Arizona – which could easily become two with an early release – and would provide Green Bay with some short-to-medium term help on the edge as the team look to capitalize on their open Super Bowl window. The 28-year old had 12 sacks last season, and has managed a total of 37.5 over the past four years with both the Cardinals and the Eagles.   Playing on a defense whose opponents will be focused on stopping the likes of Parsons, having a top-of-the-range secondary edge rusher like Sweat could be even more beneficial. Sweat would face fewer double teams and have less specific defensive schematics directed on him, allowing him to roam free one-on-one for much of the season, Parsons’ health permitting. And for the price of a receiver who is out of contract at the end of the year, it could make a lot of sense for GB – even if they have to throw in another day 3 pick in 2027 as a sweetener.

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